Behind the Curtain: The Eighth Grade Musical

When I first started at Harbor Day School, I was thrilled to have found a school that dedicated so much to the performing arts. I learned about the Eighth Grade Musical and could not wait to be a part of it. Having spent the first part of my career as a musical theater actor, I was eager to share my experience with blossoming young actors. I entered “audition week” (a week of preparations and auditions), thinking I knew what to expect. However, it wasn’t until we started the production process that I realized Harbor Day exceeded any expectations of what a middle school musical would look like and what it meant to the school and community. 

History

The tradition of the Eighth Grade Musical at Harbor Day began with the production of H.M.S Pinafore in 1981. Over the next 4 decades, the musical became a culminating event of our students’ final year at Harbor Day, a rite of passage, so to speak. Musicals ranging from Gilbert and Sullivan’s light operas, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classical musical theater, to Queen’s futuristic rock and roll drama told stories that transformed the students into unique characters and brought them into new worlds. Beyond the entertainment these musicals bring to audiences, performing in them brings much more the audience may never see. These unseen benefits of musical theater include confidence building, collaboration and community, an outlet for creativity and empathy, and of course, making memories and having fun. 

Building Confidence

Preparations for the musical begin as early as kindergarten. Musically, the students learn to sing as an ensemble using healthy vocal production. From their first speaking lines in the Thanksgiving, Holiday, or Grandparents’ Day programs, the students learn the ability to project their voices, articulate clearly, and stand in front of an audience. Over the years, students have multiple opportunities to speak. This builds confidence, self-esteem, and the ability to overcome nerves. Additionally, in-class performances help students become comfortable singing in front of their peers. These skills are reinforced and expanded in middle school, especially with a scene study unit in the 7th grade. Beyond its benefit in musical theater, the ability to confidently speak and perform in public settings will assist the students in future presentations in school and adulthood. 

Collaboration & Community

Musicals are more than solo speaking lines and musical numbers; they are a team effort. Everyone on and off stage has important roles that collectively work towards a common goal: the success of the show. I often stress to the actors the importance of working as an ensemble; no role is larger than the entirety of the group. As the famous theater quote states, “There are no small parts, only small actors.” Putting in hours of rehearsals together, the class works selflessly to create something bigger than themselves. This process creates a community founded on hard work, communication, and support. Whether on stage or behind the scenes, the collaborative nature of musical theater helps to form a sense of belonging and unity among the entire cast and crew. 

Creative Expression & Empathy 

One of the biggest challenges students face is stepping outside of their comfort zone. Singing, dancing, and acting in front of an audience do not always come naturally to everyone. Luckily, the drama and storyline of a musical create a healthy outlet for emotional expression. Throughout the rehearsal process, the students become less inhibited and more outgoing on stage. In doing so, the actors learn to find empathy with their characters and each other. This allows the actor to step into someone else’s shoes, which creates a more authentic and believable performance. By tapping into their own emotions and experiences, the actors express the vulnerability and complexity of their characters. Specific to musical theater, the combination of storytelling and music allows for a more heightened emotional experience, as songs often express a character’s innermost thoughts and desires. 

Making Memories and Having Fun

Putting together a musical is a lot of fun. Despite the hard work, sacrifices, and long hours of rehearsal, the students have spent the last few months joyfully creating memories. The shared experience from auditions to the final show is something they will hopefully remember when reflecting on their time at HDS. It is always rewarding when alumni visit and share their experiences doing the musical. Even more, the wall of cast photos outside the theater becomes a favorite spot for students to stop and point out siblings, cousins, and parents from their musical year.  

            Over the last 7 years, I have witnessed firsthand the impact the musical has had on the Harbor Day School community. Kindergarteners begin wondering what their musical might be as soon as the Eighth Grade Musical is announced. By the end of March, the school-wide excitement to see the musical peaks as actors finish preparing for their first performance. My primary goal as director is not perfecting a finished product but staying true to the purpose of why we do the musical; it’s the journey, not the final destination. Of course, the entire production team shares this vision as well. With her professional work as a musical director, Mrs. Robyn Leon works tirelessly to ensure the students sound their best, sing with passion, and act as true professionals. Her leadership and talent take the students’ musicality to a new level. Stage manager Ms. Courtney Zarrilli, having experience performing in her own HDS musical and stage managing many more since then, ensures that the show runs smoothly both on stage and off. Additionally, her work in the art department, alongside Ms. Dayna Sable and Dr. Sean Rowe, ensures that the props and scenery represent our students' hard work and talents. 

The class of 2025 has been working hard to deliver a performance that showcases not only their talents but the hard work and bond they have created over the past few months. Whether the students continue theater in the future or not, we hope that this process inspired these actors to become lifelong theater lovers.

On behalf of the entire cast, crew, and production team, we look forward to seeing you at the upcoming performances of All Shook Up on March 26, 27, and 28.